Duncan vows to solve shooting slump

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich canceled a practice session scheduled for this morning, but at least one basket at the team’s practice facility likely will be in use.

Vowing to solve a rare shooting slump, team captain Tim Duncan promised to get up “as many shots as I can” as he prepares for a Wednesday rematch at the AT&T Center against the Grizzlies, who scored an overtime victory over the Spurs on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.

“It’s just one of those things,” Duncan said of his 18-for-49 (36.7 percent) shooting in the past four games. “It’s January. Something’s gone wrong, some mechanics and just not feeling good. I’m just trying to work through it, get up as many shots as possible and try to start making them in the game again and see what happens.”

Duncan has scored only 46 points in the four games. His scoring average has dipped to 17.1 points, but he still has the second-highest average on the team.

Blair stays ready: Getting an early call off the bench, backup big man DeJuan Blair made 4 of 5 shots, grabbed four rebounds and scored nine points in a little more than nine efficient minutes in the first half of Sunday’s 106-88 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Blair had played in only one of the previous five games, a total of just 7:03. He remained on the bench through the second half.

Blair started 15 of the first 24 games of the season but has played just 73:39 in the past 15 games. He did not play in six of those, but he said he was not surprised when Popovich called on him in the second quarter Sunday.

“I just stay ready,” Blair said. “You know how I am. When I get in, I’m always going to bring as much energy as I can. When you’re called, you have to step up big so you can keep being consistent with your playing time. I think my play spoke for itself.”

Joseph returns: With Manu Ginobili on the injured list with a strained left hamstring, the Spurs recalled second-year point guard Cory Joseph from their D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros.

Joseph, who participated in Monday’s practice session, has appeared in 14 games with the Toros this season, averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.29 steals in an average of 39.2 minutes per game. He has made 19 of 43 3-point shots (44.2 percent).

In nine games with the Spurs this season, he has averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 assists.